Can carrier



March 7, 1967 cHmsEY, JR 3,307,692

CAN CARRIER Filed May 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fan 62.5 a. ziazszykfr United States Patent 3,307,692 CAN CARRIER Francis A. Chidsey, Jr., Devon, Pa., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 14, 1965, Ser. No. 455,837 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a can carrier of the type having a plastic member holding the upper ends of a group of chimed cans for supporting them, and particularly, to a paperboard panel used with this carrier'for completely covering the tops of the cans.

Plastic carriers, for which this invention is an improvement, have ring sections locked over theupper chimed ends of cans in a manner capable of supporting the cans. One serious drawback of this type carrier is the poor stacking of like carriers on one another caused initially by the fact that the cans are unsupported at their lower ends and further that the exposed can tops present an irregular surface. Another drawback is that the exposed can tops commonly collect dirt to hinder the sales appeal of the package. Also, the plastic carrier lacks space for point of sale advertising.

Accordingly, the object of this invention is to overcome these drawbacks of the ring-type plastic can carrier by providing a separate paperboard panel adapted to extend over and cover the tops of the cans supported by the carrier.

For a beter understanding of the subject invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away for clearer disclosure, of one embodiment of the subject invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational views as seen generally from lines 2-2 and 33 adjacent FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the paperboard blank used in the previous figures;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view, partly broken away and in sections as seen generally from line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the paperboard blank used in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Generally, the carrier for which this invention is directed consists of a plastic member having a central section and six ring sections defining openings for receiving a plurality of cans K having chimes C at their upper ends. The carrier shown in FIGS. 1-3 dilfers from the carrier shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in that in the former the cans can be removed from the carrier by merely manipulating them relative to the ring sections; whereas in the latter the cans can be removed from the carrier only after stretching the rings enough to clear the can chimes.

In the carrier of FIGS. 1-3, each ring section 10 is formed by spaced ledges 12 extending from a central section 14 of plastic and having their adjacent ends connected together by means of an elevated bridge section 18. The ledge sections 12 are curved generally to the diameter of the can K to support the can immediately below the chime C, and bridge 18 is elevated above them a distance corresponding generally to the height of the chime. The ledges then can be deflected away from one another from their normal position contacting the can to permit removal or insertion of the can chime past the ledges. The central section 14 of the plastic member has openings 20 to provide handle means for the user.

3,307,692 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 The subject invention used with the carrier disclosed in FIGS. 13 includes a paperboard member 30 having a panel section shaped to the general plan view contour of the cans in the carrier to fit over the cans of the group. The panel thus is generally rectangular of width equal to the distance between opposite bridge sections 18 and of length equal to the rows of cans, and has smooth circular edge extensions or contours 32 of radii substantially equal to the radii of the cans spaced apart distances corresponding to the spacing of the cans in the carrier. The paperboard member accordingly fits over the tops of the cans with the contoured edges 32 being received between the bridge sections 18 and the cans themselves. To place the paperbard member in such position, it is bowed slightly concave in a direction toward the can tops to fit the contours 32 under the bridge sections. The member 30 further has spaced openings 34 aligned generally with the openings 20 on the plastic member to provide handle means for carrying the package.

The carrier disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 again consist of a plastic member having ring sections 112 formed therein for receiving the cans K and confining thereby the chimes C of the cans. This embodiment is such that each ring section 112 snuggly receives the can body, so that to remove a can, the plastic must be stretched. The carrier of this type is normally formed by mechanically stretching ring sections over the upper ends of the can to permit them, upon releasing, to return-set tightly against the cans. Openings are also formed in the central section for the receipt thereof of a barbed handled portion 122.

The paperboard member used with this carrier is shown in FIG. 7 and includes a generally rectangular panel 132 having length and width comparable to the respective length and width of the can group to cover the tops of the cans. Adjacent the side edge of the panel 132 and the tangency of the can ring section 110, locking tongues 134 are formed that extend over the chimes of the cans to beneath the ring sections of the plastic member. A retaining tab 136 is formed from each locking tongue and has an upper edge spaced below the panel a distance corresponding to the distance the chime is below the panel operable to engage the underside of the chime. Openings 138 are formed in the panel in line with the openings of the plastic member to receive the handle 122.

It is thus seen that the basic teaching of this invention is the provision in a plastic ring type carrier of a paperboard panel to cover the tops of the cans carried in the carrier. This gives a flat surface upon which the bottom ends of cans in a like carrier will rest to increase the stacking characteristics of this type carrier. Furthermore, the paperboard panel completely covering the tops of the cans minimizes the chance for dirt to collect on the can tops. Also, the visible printed panel provides ready display used for point of sale advertising.

While only specific disclosures have been made of this invention, it is obvious that slight modifications can be made therein while not departing from the inventive concept. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims hereinafter following.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for a group of cans having chimes on their upper ends, the combination comprising:

(a) a plastic member having a central section and a plurality of integrally formed ring sections extending outwardly therefrom and each defining an opening for receiving the upper end of a can below the chime of said can;

(b) a paperboard member including a panel positioned over the group for engaging and covering the upper ends of the cans;

(c) means for confining a portion of the paperboard member between the cans and the plastic member to maintain the panel in place over the upper ends of the cans.

2. A carrier according to claim 1, wherein:

(a) each ring section has curved ledge portions and an interconnecting bridge portion vertically spaced apart by the approximate thickness of the can chime adapted to engage the can below and above the chime for supporting the can;

(b) the confining means includes a plurality of spaced contours on the paperboard member curved to correspond generally to the top plan contour of the cans in the group and each positioned between said bridge portion and the upper end of the can.

3. A carrier according to claim 1, wherein the confining means includes a plurality of narrow tongues on the paperboard member each extended substantially normal t0 the panel past the can chime and interposed between the ring section and can received therein.

4. A carrier according to claim 3, wherein each tongue further has cut therefrom a locking ta'b having a free edge to engage the lower side of the chime.

5. A carrier according to claim 1, wherein the central section of the plastic member and the panel of the paperboard member each has openings therein aligned with one another and located between adjacent cans for providing handle means for lifting the carrier.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,046,711 7/1962 Harrison. 3,066,796 12/1962 Kidd.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

M. L. RICE, Ass stant Examiner. 

1. A CARRIER FOR A GROUP OF CANS HAVING CHIMES ON THEIR UPPER ENDS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) A PLASTIC MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL SECTION AND A OPLURALITY OF INTEGRALLY FORMED RING SECTIONS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND EACH DEFLNING AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING THE UPPER END OF A CAN BELOW THE CHIME OF SAID CAN; (B) A PAPERBOARD MEMBER INCLUDING A PANEL POSITIONED OVER THE GROUP FOR ENGAGING AND COVERING THE UPPER ENDS OF THE CANS; (C) MEANS FOR CONFINING A PORTION OF THE PAPERBOARD MEMBER BETWEEN THE CANS AND THE PLASTIC MEMBER 